Mrs. Matilde Anaya Villalpanda | Electromagnetic Field | Best Researcher Award 

Mrs. Matilde Anaya Villalpanda, Centro de Gestión y Desarrollo de la Calidad, Cuba 

Matilde Anaya Villalpanda is a distinguished Cuban researcher and academic with extensive expertise in food engineering, microbiology, and environmental sciences. She holds degrees in Food Technology (1998) and Chemical Engineering (2007), a Master’s in Food Engineering (2012), and a Ph.D. in Technical Sciences in Environment (2018). With over 26 years of experience, she has served as an Assistant Professor (2015) and a Principal Researcher (2023), teaching at the Institute of Pharmacy and Food at the University of Havana (IFAL-UH) and the Faculty of Chemistry at CUJAE. She has held leadership roles, including Head of the Microbiology Department and Biosecurity Officer at the Institute of Food Industry Research (IIIA) and Head of the Food Safety Coordination Department at the National Standardization Office (ONN). Her doctoral research focused on indoor air microbiological quality, pioneering the use of magnetic fields for aerobiological monitoring, leading to the establishment of Cuban standard NC 1404:2022. Her work spans microbial conservation, probiotic yeast evaluation, fungal enzyme extraction, and the application of circular economy principles in agro-food value chains. She has led or contributed to 17 research projects under Cuba’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment and Higher Education, earning municipal, provincial, and national recognition. An accomplished scholar, she has presented 75 papers at national and international conferences and published 50 indexed journal articles. Her contributions extend to mentoring undergraduate and graduate theses, advancing microbiology, food safety, and biotechnology in Cuba.

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Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award 

Matilde Anaya Villalpanda is a highly distinguished researcher in Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Sciences, making her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her 26 years of experience, extensive research contributions, leadership in food safety and microbiology, and significant impact on industrial processes and regulations highlight her excellence in scientific research.

🎓 Education:

• 1998: Graduated in Food Technology

• 2007: Degree in Chemical Engineering

• 2012: Master’s in Food Engineering

• 2018: Ph.D. in Technical Sciences (Environment)

👩‍🏫 Work Experience:

• Professor & Researcher:

  • Assistant Professor (2015)

  • Senior Researcher (2023)

• Teaching Positions:

  • Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Pharmacy and Food, University of Havana (IFAL-UH)

  • Lecturer at CUJAE’s Faculty of Chemistry, teaching:

    • “Principles of Food Engineering” (4th year)

    • “Process Engineering I & II” (4th & 5th year)

• Industry & Research Leadership:

  • Head of Microbiology Department (2014) – Institute of Food Industry Research (IIIA)

  • Head of Food Safety Coordination Department – National Standardization Office (ONN)

  • Biosecurity Manager (2014) – IIIA

🏆 Achievements & Research Contributions:

• Doctoral Research: Developed a methodology for indoor air microbiological quality monitoring using magnetic fields, leading to the approval of Cuban standard NC 1404:2022.

• Innovative Research Areas:

  • Studied magnetic fields’ effects on human health & microorganisms in food preservation and fermentation.

  • Worked on conservation of fungal, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria strains for food applications.

• Project Leadership:

  • Directed a research project at IIIA on new microbiological analysis methods for the food industry.

  • Led studies on probiotic properties of brewer’s yeast, β-1,3-glucan production in S. cerevisiae, fungal biodeterioration of food packaging, and antifungal activity of Cuban natural products.

  • Participated in Codex Alimentarius management strengthening in Cuba and circular economy projects in agri-food value chains.

• Industrial Experience:

  • Supervised meat product processing at IIIA.

  • Managed bakery, confectionery, fruit & vegetable processing at MINAG.

  • Directed distillation and aged rum production (Havana Club, Santa Cruz Rum Distillery).

🎖 Awards & Honors:

• Research Excellence: Participated in 17 research projects across multiple institutions (IIIA, CITMA, MES).

• Academic Contributions:

  • 75 research presentations in national & international conferences.

  • 50 scientific articles published in indexed journals and Web of Science.

• Mentorship & Education: Supervised 16 undergraduate theses and 2 master’s theses across engineering, food sciences, and microbiology.

• Recognized Research Results: Awarded at municipal, provincial, and national levels for scientific contributions.

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